Dispensing device for carbonated beverages



Sept. 18, 1951 R. T. CORNELIUS DISPENSING DEVICE FOR CARBONATED BEVERAGES y Filed Aug. 10, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet l 55514418 /55 el? 5v, `1o

Sept. 18, 1951 R. T. CORNELIUS DISPENSING DEVICE FOR CARBONATED BEvERAGEs Filed Aug. l0, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet LUL u 1 Z i Sept. 18, 1951 R. T. CORNELIUS 2,568,114

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR CARBONATED BEVERAGES Filed Aug. lO, 1944 5 Sheets-Shea?l 5 Syvum/M3012' R'Lchgrd T. Corne lus Patented Sept. 18, 1951 OFFICE Y DIsPENsING DEVICE Fon CARBONATED BEVERAGES I Richard T. Cornelius, Minneapolis, Minn. `Application August 10, 1944, Serial No. 548,816

My invention relatesfto dispensing devices for carbonated beverages,A and has for an objectv to provide a device which will serve carbonated 'beverages under a1lconditions,with the same amount of carbonization.

Another object of the invention `resides in `providing a device having a container in which the carbonated beverageis contained and inproviding a regulator for regulating the pressure of the-gas inthe container in accordance with the temperature of the beverage in the container.

Another object ofthe invention resides in providing va beverage dispensing device in which 4any amount of carbonization can-beprodu'ced in the beverage, regardless of `the temperature of the beverage in the container.-

A feature of the invention resides in constructin g the regulator'vv-ith a pressure responsive valve mechanism connected with a'source of carbon dioxide under pressure vrand -in'providing a thermally responsive member actuated jin accordance with the temperature ofthe .beverage inthe container for operating the valve mechanism to kcontrol the flow of carbon dioxide to the container.

Anobject of the invention resides in providing a faucet and a conduit connected with the faucet and deliveringa carbonated beverage thereto.

Another object-of the invention resides in providing a flow control device-.for controlling the pressure of the beverage in said conduit at its locality -of discharge `to prevent `foaming `and splashing of theA beverage upon being dispensed.

An object of the invention resides in constructing said control device with an vadjustable flow restrictor and in further providing a pressure responsive operating deviceresponsive to the pressure of the beverage -at the Ylocality of saidy restricter for operating said flovv` restrictor..

A still further object of the invention resides in connecting said flow restrictor -in said `conduit at` a locality intermedi-ate the ends thereof lto divide said conduitfinto two sections and in further forming the section between said iiow restrictor and faucet of sufficiently small dimensions to form a -xed resistance in said-conduit.

Another obiect ofthe invention resides -in cooling both of lthe sections of the said conduit.

Other objectsof Vthe invention reside inthe novel combination and arrangement of parts and inthe details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/ or described.

Inthe drawings:

Fig. 1 is `'an elevational sectional view of a bev-v erage dispensing device illustrating an embodiment ofmy invention.`y i

`4. Claims. (Cl. 2215?-21) Fig. 2 is a plan sectional View taken on line 2-2 ofFigrl.

Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional view taken through the regulator of the invention.

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view taken` through the flow control device of the invention.

In the dispensing of carbonated-beverages where the beverage is dispensed from containers such' as barrels, drums or the like, considera-ble dirnculty is encountered due to the fact that the temperature of the container when connected -tov the dispensing device varies considerably, depending upon theA prior place ,of storigc of the container. It visvvell @known that the amount rof carbon dioxide heid in solution in `a liquid depends .upon the pressure on the liquid and this pressure, in turn, is dependentnpon the temperature of the liquid. Ihe present invention provides a regulator for regulating the amount oi carbonization of the beverage andfor producing a pressure in the container corresponding with the temperature ofthe beverage. 1in the dispensiugof the beverage. foaming and splashing occurs if the pressure of the liquid within the faucet' is too great- Where the pressure .in the container for the beverage would vary, as would `be the cose if the pressure were varied to produce a certain degree of carbonization. the pressure et lthe faucet Wouldcorrespondiuely vary.. The instant invention provides a .control device whereby this pres. sure may be controlled to cause the beverage tobe .discharged from the faucet at the same pressure, regardlessof the temperature or pressure of the fbeverage in the container.

,My inventioncomprises a refrigerator IIJ having a conduit II therein for conducting beverage under pressure to a dispensing faucet I2. The conduit I I is connected to a container I3 disposed below the refrigerator I0 and from .which ,the beverage under pressure is delivered to the faucet I2. In the conduit I I is mounted a control device I4 by means of which Athe pressure of .the .beverages on leaving the faucet I2 is automatically maintained constant and at a predetermined low value. Adjacent the vcontainer I3 .is provided .a regulator I5 which Amaintains a xed amount of carbonization in the beverage within the container I3, regardless o f .the temperature therein. These various parts will now be described in detail.

The refrigerator I0 vcomprises a housing I6 including foul` uprights I1 at the corners thereof. These uprights have attached to them crossframe members 'I8 which support a partition I9. This vpartition divides the refrigerator into a lower compartment 2| in which the container I3 is disposed and into an upper compartment 22 in which the refrigerating apparatus is disposed. The housing I6 includes a rear wall 23 and side walls 24 extending throughout the entire height thereof. Said housing further includes a front wall 25 which extends down to the partition I9, thus leaving the compartment 2| open from the front of the housing. This compartment is closed by means of a door 26 which is hingedly mounted on one of the uprights |1 in any suitable manner. By means of this construction, access may be had to the interior of the compartment 2| from the front of the housing.

Within the interior of the housing I6 and spaced from the walls thereof is a case 21 which consists of a bottom 28 and lateral walls 29 and 3|. This case is supported at its upper end through transverse frame members 32 and 33 which are attached to the uprights |1. The said case provides a refrigerating compartment 34 in which the conduit I and the control device I4 are disposed. This compartment is open at the topl and may be closed by means of areinovable lid or closure 35, resting upon an upper wall 38 of the housing I6 carried by the frame members 32 and 33. 1 The space between the housing l|65 and the case 21 is lled with insulating material 31 to retard heat loss from the refrigerator proper.

The lower portion of the housing I5 has mounted in it a bottom 4| which is supported on cross-frame members 42 connected to the uprights I1. Within the compartment 2| is placed the container I3 containing the carbonated beverage to be dispensed. This container rests freely upon the bottom 4| and is inserted into the compartment 2| through the opening closed by the door 26. The said container has a connection 43 at the bottom of the same and to which a flexible conduit 44 may be connected. Such construction being well known in the art, has not been shown in detail in this application. Conduit 44 is connected to a pipevconnection 45 which passes through the bottom 28 of case 21 and through the partition |9. This pipe connection is connected within the compartment 2| to the conduit I in a manner to be presently more fully described. Within the compartment 3| in the refrigerator I is mounted a rack 46. This rack consists of a transverse frame member 41, channel-shaped in cross-section which is arranged with its web 48 extending horizontally and lowermost. This frame member has attached to it a numberof hangers 49, each consisting of spaced clamp members and 52 which are clamped together by means of bolts 53. The clamp member 52 has a lug 54 on it which is attached to the web 48 of channel 41 by means of a cap screw 55. The channel frame member 41 rests upon two lugs 56 which are attached to the walls 29 of the case 21. Guides 51 on these lugs hold the channel frame member 41 in proper position. The hangers |19v support a coil 59 of suitable tubing which is connected to a refrigerator apparatus of any suitable type and by means of which a coolant may be circulated to cool the compartment 3|. In use, I prefer to fill the compartment 3| with a heat exchange liquid such as brine or the like, whereby heat exchange between the coil l555 Aand the conduit I| may occur.

The ow control device I4 is shown in detail in Fig. 4. This control device comprises a ilow restrictor 6| and a pressure responsive operating device 62 therefor. These parts will now be described in detail. The flow restrictor 6| consists of a case 63 tubular in form which has a conical bore 64 extending throughout the length of the same. This case is threaded at its lower end as designated at 65, to receive a cap 68 screwed thereon. The cap 86 terminates in a threaded boss 61 to which may be screwed a tting 68 by means of which the bore B4 may be connected at its lower' end to the conduit I. Within the bore 64 is 4slidably mounted a conical core 69 conforming in taper to the taper of the bore 64. This core has a cylindrical hole 1| extending throughout its length which is threaded at 12 to receive the lower end of a threaded shank 13. The core 69 may be adjustable axially within the bore 64 by screwing the same on the threaded end of the stem 13. The said core is held in adjusted position on said stem by means of a set screw 14 which is threaded into the extreme end of the threads 12 in said core. The lower end of the core 591s guided for movement within the .bore S4 by means of a number of guide pins 15 which projectoutwardly from said core and which engage a cylindrical surface 15 formed in the extreme lower end of the case 63. The other end of the stem 13 is guided as will be presently more fully described.

The pressure responsive operating device 62 comprises a case 11 tubular in form at the central portion yof the same and providing a tubular chamber 18 at such locality. The said case has at-its lower end an outwardly extending cupped ange 19. This flange overlies a correspondingly formed cupped flange 8| on the upper end of the Between these case 63 of flow r-estrictor 6|. flanges is clamped a diaphragm 82. This is accomplished by means of cap screws 83 which extend through the flange 19 and are threaded into the flange 8|. The upper end 84 of the stem 13 extends through the diaphragm 82. This portion of .the stem is smaller in diam-eter than the stem proper and supports a backing plate 85 on the lower side of the diaphragm 82. Another backing plate 86 is mounted on the other side of the diaphragm and the entire assembly of parts held together as a unit by means of a nut 81 screwed upon the extreme end of the portion 84 of stem 13. By means of this construction, a piston member 89 is provided which is adapted to move the core E9 as the said piston member'v operates. The space on the lower side of the diaphragm 82 formed between it and the cupshaped flange 8| and designated at 9| forms an expansible chamber which communicates with the annular passageway 92 formed between the core 69 and the bore 64 of case |53.

Within the chamber 18 of case 11 is mounted a compression coil spring 93 which bears at one end against the nut 81 of piston member 89. The said spring further engages a head 94 which bears against the lower end of a screw 95 threaded into a portionSIi of the case 11 at the upper end of the same. A gland 91 forms a tight joint between the screw 95 and the case 11. Surrounding the screw 95 and the gland 91 is a cap 98 which is threaded on a boss 99 formed on. the

pressure -of the carbonated beverage passing into said 1section becomes materially reduced. This section is -fWOLllld in the form `of a coil which encircles: the ses@ @i3 of. .the OWI-restrirtor BI# The discharge end` |06 v of this coil is connected by means vof a connector |01 with the shank .|08 of faucet |2,;While .the inlet end |09 of said coil isgconnectedvto a connector |00 which is screwed into a ,threaded boss |0 on the iiange 8| of icase 63. By means. of this construction, the inlet end I 09 .of the ,section |03 of conduit communicates with the chamber 0| within the control ,device f|4.

The-section! 0.4 ofthe conduitfl is constructed ino-the form .of a .coil whichis of greater .diameter 4than the diameterof the .section |03 and of a lesser diameterthan the diameter of the 'lf coil 50.` This section is disposed within thecoil 59v and encircles the section |03. The lower end .of the section .|04 is `connected to the pipe connection 45, while the upper end is connected to the iiow restrictor 6| by means of the fitting 1.2

50 previously referred to. It will thus be readily comprehendedthat fiow of ibeverage from the container occurs through the connection 43,con duit .44, pipe connection y45, section .|04 ofthe conduit the vannular passageway 92y vin the flow restrictor 5| and into the chamber 9 From chamber 9|, the vbeverage lflows through thesection |03 of the conduit and into and through the faucet I2.

Thereguiator l5 lis shown in detail in Figs .1.-

and includes .a valve mechanism indicated in its entirety by the reference .numeral |l| This valve mechanism includes .a '.case |.|.2 formed with a A.boss z||3cextending upwardly therefrom. In .the boss |;3 is slidably .mountedfa tfluted valve stem ||.`.4. At the upper `end of .the boss i-|3 .is formed a valve seat 5. A valve head |,|=,6., mounted on the stemd I4, `engages the said valve seat and closes the valve. The boss |13 is ex.- ternally threaded at .|:|1 to receive `a threaded cap ||8 which has attached to it la tube tting |.|i9. :By means of this tube fitting, a'tube=,|;2| is .connected to the :cap |.|8 and communicates. with the chamber ||2 above the Valve head H53;

This tube may b e connected to any suitable supply `'of carbon dioxide .under pressure which has not been shown in the drawings. The Acap |18 bears against a .gasket |23, .so .as to form a `huid-tight connection with the ,case H2. The case v| lf2 includes an oifset -iiange V|24 which `is formed near its Yperiphery with an internally threaded boss |25. :Thisboss has an elbow lIll-.i3 screwed into the same. f

The `regulator |5 -.further'-includes. a pressure responsive operating ndevice indicated at .|21 which4 serves `to .operate the valve. f-mechanism This device includes a 'tubular Vcase |28 having a -chamber L29 -within the same.y Said case is formed with an ovlTset Iflange-|31 corresponding with the iiange |24 `,of `case |.-|12 and overlying rthe same. Disposed between the iianges |24 and v13| is a diaphragm |32 `which is .clamped in position between said-diaphragme. bymeans `of screws |54 which pass through the ange vn| 24 and are screwed into the flange 1|,3'I. The valve stem -.||4.;is fforlmed with a reduced threaded .end |33 which extends through Athe diaphragm |32. Two backing platesy |34 and |35, mounted on A:the endV |33 :of :stem :I |,4/-ar`e disposed one -On cach .side :of -the diaphragm 7.5 |53 and 'the clarion letti.

6 1.3.2.. .lhisentire .structure is .held assembled rby means .of a 11.1111 |36..1Scr.ewed0nthe end |33 .of Stem 111.4...

.The valve mechanism lll is normally held open by means Qf .a compression vcoil spring v|31 mounted in .the ,chamber |29 of `case |28 and bearing. at oneend against vthe nut |35. The

otherend of thisspring .bears against ahead |39 which .bears against .the upper end of a screwv.|4.| threaded vinto ya .portion |42 of. Athe case 218 `atthe lower end ,of the same. `A gland |43 forms a tight joint.betweenthe screw |4| and the. case |28. Surrounding the screw |4|v and `thefglandi43 is a cap |44 which is threaded ona boss .|45 formed .on thecase |28.

The diaphragm `|32 forms in conjunction with the two ilanges |24pand |3| two compartments |46 and `|41 Awithin the regulator |5 and on opposite sides of said diaphragm. The compartment` |46 communicates with `the .chamber .|22 through .the valve mechanism and also `with the interior of 'the elbow |26. Elbow |26 has a='tube.cor-inactionl |48 attached thereto and to whichis connected Ja ilexible tube |45 also lcon nected `to the container 42 near the -upper end thereof v-as-indicatedat |49; The flange |3| is formed -With a threaded boss |5| which receives a "tube -connection |52.' A exiblevtube |53 -is connected -to 4this Ytube connection Aand communicates-with the-chamber |41. y

The valve operating mechanism |21 is actuated by means of a thermally responsive member, best illustrated in Fig. v1 and designated by the reference numeral |55. This -thermally responsive' member comprises a receptacle |53 Which-has a wall 51 arcuate in form and adapted to t about and to contact the outer surface of the cylindrical wall |58 of container |13. A split hoop |59, provided at vits ends with a quick release clamping device |6|, encircles 1 the container I3 andthe receptacle |56. When the clamping Vdevice 167| isoperated, the hoop |56- istensionedand the surfaces of the arcuate wall |451 of receptacle y|56 and the Wall |50 of contailler' I3 are urged into close contact with -one anotherto procure eflcient `heat exchange therebetween. 'The interior of the receptacle |756 'is lled with a' suitable fluid which is adapted lto expand .upon the heating .0f the same. The re.- ceptacle |55 is connected by means of a tube connection |62 with .the flexible tube |53, previously referred to. ,It will thus be seen that the pressurewithin .the receptacle ,|56 is transmitted tothe v.chamber |41 and exerts a pressure .on thev f diaphragm |32..y This pressure is less than the pressure exerted bythe gas in the container i3, the-diaphragm .|32 on its ,other .side being subjected .toithis4 latter pressure. As the temperature of the beverage within thecontainer le rises, the pressure within -the .upper .portion of the `said container must be yincreased accordingly tpqmaintainthe same amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in ythe beverage. I preferably employ a duid :in the receptacle-|55 whose temperature pressure .curyeis substantially the-same as that f ora saturated solution of ,carbon dioxide in the beverage to be vdispensed. vI have found Vthat sulphur dioxide isa 4fluid substantially --meeting these lreqilirerrlents The operation of my invention is kas follows:

i-.container filled with carbonated vbeverage lis insertedinto the compartment 2| in refrigerator i0 andthe thermally responsive member |55 attachedztogthegsaid container by'means of hoop The flexible tube A|53 and the hose 44 are next connected to the container by means of the connections provided therefor. A suitable coolant is circulated through the coil 59 and the temperature of the circulating medium Within the chamber 3| is brought down to the proper temperature. The regulator |21 is next regulated through the screw I4I to give the proper percentage of gas in the beverage. If, for example, a carbonization of 31/2 volumes of gas to one volume of beverage are desired, the screw I4I would be adjusted to cause the regulator to produce this amount of carbonization. At 70 F., it would take 46 pounds of pressure to maintain the gas in the solution. If this were the temperature of the beverage when inserted into the dispensing device, the pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm |32 would be 46 pounds per square inch. At the same time, the pressure on the under side of the diaphragm would be pressure exerted by the spring |31 and the pressure exerted by the fluid in the receptacle |56; This would naturally have to balance the pressure on the upper side of the diaphragm and when this occurred, no flow of gas into the container 42 would occur. If, after the device had been in the dispensing device for a certain period of time and the temperature thereof had raised, then the pressure necessary to maintain 3l/2 volumes of carbon dioxide in solution would have to be increased. Assume that the temperature now became 100 F. A pressure of '78 pounds would now be necessary to keep 31/2 volumes of the gas in solution. Under such conditions, the pressure exerted by the fluid in the receptacle |56 would increase and the valve head IIB would be raised by diaphragm |32 to allow carbon dioxide from the tube |2| to pass through the valve mechanism III and into the chamber |46. Flow of carbon dioxide would occur until the pressure were again equalized and the valve head IIS brought to bear upon the seat I I5. If the temperature of the beverage within the container 42 were to drop, so as to require less pressure in said container, such condition would be met when the beverage was drawn from the faucet. After a few glasses of beverage had been drawn, the pressure would drop sulciently to meet the requirements, thus making it unnecessary torelieve the pressure in the device. It can, however, be readily comprehended that a regulator similar to that shown in Fig. 3 may be used to discharge gas from the container I3, until the proper relation between pressure and temperature has been established. Due to the fact that the pressure-temperature curve of the fluid in the receptacle |55 is substantially the same as that required to maintain the desired carbonization in the beverage, the regulator I5 will operate to at all times maintain the desired amount of carbonization in the beverage.

The beverage, on entering the conduit II and flowing through the sections |04 and |03 thereof, becomes cooled to the desired temperature. Due to the high pressure in the container I3, the beverage could not be dispensed at this pressure without causing undue foaming and splashing. By means of the resistance afforded through the section of the conduit and through the resistance afforded in the annular passageway 02 of the flow restrictor 6I, the beverage leaves the faucet I2 ata suitable pressure to produce the desired amount of foam and to prevent unnecessary agitation and splashing. It will readily be comprehended that since the pressure in the container I3 varies with the temperature of the beverage, that a xed resistance between the con- 8 tainer and the faucet would not produce uniform results. For this reason, the adjustable resistance afforded by the flow restrictor 6|, as previously brought out, functions in conjunction With the resistance in the conduit I to maintain a uniform discharge pressure at the faucet.

The advantages of my invention are manifest, rEhe beverage container may be inserted directly into thev dispensing device without pre-cooling. The regulator controls the amount of carbon dloxide admitted to the container, so that the desired degree of saturation is at all times maintained. With my invention, carbonated beverages can be drawn from the faucet With the same degree of carbonization and at the same pressure, regardless of the condition of the beverage in the container. The device is automatic in operation and simple in construction and operates in a positive and practical manner to produce the desired results.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. In combination, a faucet, a conduit for delivering a carbonated beverage under pressure to said faucet, a fixed flow restrictor in said conduit adjoining said faucet, an adjustable flow restrictor in said conduit adjacent said fixed flow restrictor and a pressure responsive operating device connected to said adjustable flow restrictor and varying the resistance offered thereby to the flow of carbonated beverage inversely as the pressure of the beverage in said conduit at a locality between said restrictors.

2. In combination, a faucet, a conduit for delivering a carbonated beverage under pressure to said faucet, an adjustable flow restrictor connected in said conduit intermediate the ends thereof to divide the said conduit into two sections, the bore of the section between the restrictor and faucet being of sufficiently small diameter to form a fixed resistance in said conduit and a pressure responsive operating device responsive to the pressure at the locality between said restrictor and fixed resistance for .adjusting said restrictor.

3. In combination, a faucet, a conduit for delivering a carbonated beverage under pressure to said faucet, an adjustable flow restrictor connected in said conduit intermediate the ends thereof to divide the said conduit into two sections, the bore of the section between the restrictor and faucet being of sufficiently small diameter to form a fixed resistance in said conduit, a pressure responsive oper-ating device responsive to the pressure at the locality between said restrictor and fixed resistance for adjusting said restrictor, and means for cooling both of the sections of said conduit.

4. In a flow control device for controlling the flow of a carbonated liquid to a faucet, an adjustable ow restrictor including a case having an elongated conical bore of a length greater than its minimum diameter and an elongated conical core member substantially uniformly spaced from the wall formed by the bore and slidable in said bore to vary the cross sectional area of the passageway therebetween, means forming an inlet to said flow restrictor and adapted to be connected to a container containing the liquid under pressure, means forming an outlet to said flow restrictor and adapted to be connected to a faucet,

a piston member connected to said core member. means enclosing said piston member and forming an expansible chamber and subject to the pressure of the liquid at said outlet, said piston,

upon increase in the pressure at the outlet, mov- 5 RICHARD T, CORNELIUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,046,032 Muller June 30, 1936 2,085,848 Cornelius July 6, 1937 2,199,661 Gambel et a1. May 7, 1940 2,237,215 Coney Apr. 1, 1941 2,320,969 Kromer et al. June 1. 1943 2,327,444 Nlgbor Aug. 24, 1943 

